2 Corinthians 3:1

Applebury's Comments

Self-commendation
Scripture

2 Corinthians 3:1. Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?

Comments

Are we beginning again to commend ourselves.Paul had just written of the glorious triumph of the messengers of Christ and also of the message itself which had to do with eternal life and eternal death. He had indicated that he was adequate for this ministry. In his relationship to Christ as an inspired apostle, he spoke the Word of God with all sincerity. He did not make merchandise of it as some had done. The whole chapter is an explanation of his fitness for the task.

As he often does in his writings, Paul anticipated possible charges of self-commendation. He was well aware of the arrogance of some people at Corinth. See 1 Corinthians 4:18. He knew of those who were bringing false charges against him. See 2 Corinthians 10:10. The message of the Word of God was of such importance to the apostle Paul that he wanted to make sure that the Corinthians would not make the mistake of assuming that what he was writing was idle boasting about his own powers and abilities.

epistles of commendation.There is certainly a place for letters of commendation. Paul had written many words of commendation about his fellow-workers, Timothy and Titus. In writing to the Philippians about Timothy, he had said, for I have no man likeminded who will care truly for your state for they all seek their own and not the things of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:20-21). The closing words of First Corinthians contain words of commendation about some of the brethren who were also well known to the Corinthians. Paul wrote to the Romans commending Phoebe whom he calls, our sister who is a servant of the church that is in Cenchrea. He urged them to treat her in a manner befitting the saints and to assist her in whatever matter she might have need (Romans 16:1-2). This faithful saint had been a helper of many including the apostle Paul. In the closing part of that epistle Paul mentioned a number of the brethren whom he commended in various ways because of their service in the Lord. His commendation of Luke, the beloved physician, is found in Colossians 4:14. Mark, for some reason, had not completed the first missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. This became a matter of sharp contention between them when they started on their second journey. Paul refused to take Mark with him. Long afterwards, he wrote to Timothy, saying, Take Mark and bring him with thee for he is useful to me for ministering (2 Timothy 4:11).

to you from you?Paul may have had in mind the many who were corrupting the Word of God and who may have brought epistles of commendation of themselves so that they might become established among the Corinthians. Paul knew about those who had caused so much trouble among the Galatian churches. They had come from James, but there is no good reason to assume that he had approved what they were doing. See Galatians 2:12. In the light of James-' comments as reported in Acts 15:1-41 and Paul's investigation as given in Galatians two, one might readily assume that their claims were false.

Paul needed no letter of commendation to the church at Corinth, for he performed all the signs of an apostle in their midst. See 2 Corinthians 12:12. Neither did Paul need a letter of commendation from them. He had written to them in First Corinthians saying, If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:2). This point is elaborated upon in the two-fold answer that follows.

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